Eco Boost...Max tow or not?
08-29-2013, 12:24 PM
#1
Eco Boost...Max tow or not?
Thinking that I have settled on an Eco Boost for my next vehicle. I'm calling around and finding a max tow package is a pain in the ass. Seems every one I do find has to come from outside Texas.
That said I know I want the package if I can find it. But if I can't, will one without it tow my 32 Sunsation with twin small blocks okay? Using the dry weight of 6500 and accounting for trailer, gear, fuel and crew I'm still good technically.
Of course an F-250 would be better but I drive 27,000 miles a year and only tow to a couple poker runs. It is usually in the slip.
Just curious what the Eco Boost guys think.
That said I know I want the package if I can find it. But if I can't, will one without it tow my 32 Sunsation with twin small blocks okay? Using the dry weight of 6500 and accounting for trailer, gear, fuel and crew I'm still good technically.
Of course an F-250 would be better but I drive 27,000 miles a year and only tow to a couple poker runs. It is usually in the slip.
Just curious what the Eco Boost guys think.
08-29-2013, 12:41 PM
#2
Registered
If I remember correctly Max Tow gives you heavier rear springs? If so, and you don't want to run air bags, then I would get it. The rear springs on a non-Max Tow F-150 suck in terms of supporting any kind of tongue weight.
08-29-2013, 12:54 PM
#3
Gold Member
I've got a 2012 FX4 without the max tow, and the only difference on mine is the mirrors and electronic brake controller...other than that, everything else (at least on paper) is the same...Shocks, tranny cooler, 3.73 rear, etc.
HOWEVER, I believe this changed on the 2013's...From what I've seen you can only get the EB & 3.73 rear when ordered with the Max Tow package. Probably did this to lessen the confusion (as I had on mine)
The stock rear now on the FX4 is a 3.55 and the Lariats/Platinums/XLT's typically have the 3.31. You might be ok with the 3.55 but I wouldn't want the 3.31. Ideally though, I think for your 32 you'd want the 3.73 rear. Mine pulls my 30 great, but I wouldn't want to go any bigger.
BTW, if you end up looking at used, the electronic locking 3.73 axle code is "L6" which is on the inside of the driver door where the tire info is typically listed.
HOWEVER, I believe this changed on the 2013's...From what I've seen you can only get the EB & 3.73 rear when ordered with the Max Tow package. Probably did this to lessen the confusion (as I had on mine)
The stock rear now on the FX4 is a 3.55 and the Lariats/Platinums/XLT's typically have the 3.31. You might be ok with the 3.55 but I wouldn't want the 3.31. Ideally though, I think for your 32 you'd want the 3.73 rear. Mine pulls my 30 great, but I wouldn't want to go any bigger.
BTW, if you end up looking at used, the electronic locking 3.73 axle code is "L6" which is on the inside of the driver door where the tire info is typically listed.
Last edited by ziemer; 08-29-2013 at 12:58 PM.
08-29-2013, 01:15 PM
#5
Registered
I have a 2010 FX-4 with the 5.4L and 3.73 locker. You heard correct. A tad bit underpowered.
08-29-2013, 02:07 PM
#7
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Join Date: Jun 2011
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I've got a 2012 FX4 without the max tow, and the only difference on mine is the mirrors and electronic brake controller...other than that, everything else (at least on paper) is the same...Shocks, tranny cooler, 3.73 rear, etc.
HOWEVER, I believe this changed on the 2013's...From what I've seen you can only get the EB & 3.73 rear when ordered with the Max Tow package. Probably did this to lessen the confusion (as I had on mine)
The stock rear now on the FX4 is a 3.55 and the Lariats/Platinums/XLT's typically have the 3.31. You might be ok with the 3.55 but I wouldn't want the 3.31. Ideally though, I think for your 32 you'd want the 3.73 rear. Mine pulls my 30 great, but I wouldn't want to go any bigger.
BTW, if you end up looking at used, the electronic locking 3.73 axle code is "L6" which is on the inside of the driver door where the tire info is typically listed.
HOWEVER, I believe this changed on the 2013's...From what I've seen you can only get the EB & 3.73 rear when ordered with the Max Tow package. Probably did this to lessen the confusion (as I had on mine)
The stock rear now on the FX4 is a 3.55 and the Lariats/Platinums/XLT's typically have the 3.31. You might be ok with the 3.55 but I wouldn't want the 3.31. Ideally though, I think for your 32 you'd want the 3.73 rear. Mine pulls my 30 great, but I wouldn't want to go any bigger.
BTW, if you end up looking at used, the electronic locking 3.73 axle code is "L6" which is on the inside of the driver door where the tire info is typically listed.
Not completely true. Mirrors which are very nice by the way, and the brake controller are two of the things for max tow, which doesnt mean you can haul more, but you get a upgraded rear bumper on max tow which actually means the whole hitch area and how its secured and this has all been true since 2011 when I bought my mine, the power pack, and capabilities have not changed on the eco boost. But if you do some digging in the forums(which who knows to be true or not) guys have found the steering ration to be better on max tow, as well as the leaf springs are different on the max tow, they look the same but have different part codes on them. Which I tend to beleive as reinforcing the hitch/bumper isnt going to give you another 1600lbs, but what do I know.
You also need to have 3.73s to get max tow. Now you can get max payload which i think is like 2800lbs, now that is a totally different suspension. Just order one from the factory, took me about 6 weeks to get mine.
7-Wire Harness & 4-/7-Pin Connector – on max tow and regular towing package
Trailer Wiring Harness (4-Pin) on STD no tow package only
Hitch Receiver –MAX tow and Regular tow package CL V HITCH
Aux. Auto Trans. Oil Cooler – MAX and Regular tow pckage
Radiator Upgrade – MAX and Regular tow package
Upgraded Rear Bumper MAX TOW
Trailer Brake Controller MAX Tow
Trailer Sway Control, STD on max tow and regular tow, available on no package.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/t...-ecoboost.html
also read through that, I started that two years ago.
Last edited by soldier4402; 08-29-2013 at 02:10 PM.
08-29-2013, 03:04 PM
#8
Registered
Hey Cap'n!
I have a 2011 F250 Lariat with a 6.7 and the girlfriend has a '13 F150 Ecoboost with the Max Tow. While I only have a 288, the F150 pulls the boat just fine and would with the 32 as well.
However, having pulled it with the F250 and seeing the two trucks side by side (the F150 looks like a ranger or small Cadillac besides it) I personally wouldn't want to pull a 32 with a F150. Again, the F150 has all the power and amenities to make it happen, I've personally been spoiled by the larger footprint and the power that the 6.7 offers.
I also average roughly 22-23k miles per year. Off the dashboard she averages 15mpg and I'm pulling nearly 19mpg. Big difference and similar driving situations but she does have a heavy foot.
I have a 2011 F250 Lariat with a 6.7 and the girlfriend has a '13 F150 Ecoboost with the Max Tow. While I only have a 288, the F150 pulls the boat just fine and would with the 32 as well.
However, having pulled it with the F250 and seeing the two trucks side by side (the F150 looks like a ranger or small Cadillac besides it) I personally wouldn't want to pull a 32 with a F150. Again, the F150 has all the power and amenities to make it happen, I've personally been spoiled by the larger footprint and the power that the 6.7 offers.
I also average roughly 22-23k miles per year. Off the dashboard she averages 15mpg and I'm pulling nearly 19mpg. Big difference and similar driving situations but she does have a heavy foot.
08-29-2013, 03:25 PM
#9
That's part of the reason I think they yanked the 3.73 as standard in the FX4...I couldn't find the differences you listed from Ford, nor could the dealer confirm. Not saying it isn't true, just that Ford didn't do a great job explaining the differences in the Max and Std tow packages.
08-29-2013, 07:24 PM
#10
Oh yes I've read that Eco Boost thread twice...helped sell me on the idea too.
Your post made me look at the FX4s...damn those are nice, seems like a ton of options and would fill the bill for all the comforts. As far as towing...it looks like I would be hard pressed to find the 3.73 or max tow. I am going to guess your boat is heavier than mine with the big blocks and I don't know if Velocity includes the swim platform like Sunsation does on the measurement. So really no complaints towing with your rear?
I've got a 2012 FX4 without the max tow, and the only difference on mine is the mirrors and electronic brake controller...other than that, everything else (at least on paper) is the same...Shocks, tranny cooler, 3.73 rear, etc.
HOWEVER, I believe this changed on the 2013's...From what I've seen you can only get the EB & 3.73 rear when ordered with the Max Tow package. Probably did this to lessen the confusion (as I had on mine)
The stock rear now on the FX4 is a 3.55 and the Lariats/Platinums/XLT's typically have the 3.31. You might be ok with the 3.55 but I wouldn't want the 3.31. Ideally though, I think for your 32 you'd want the 3.73 rear. Mine pulls my 30 great, but I wouldn't want to go any bigger.
BTW, if you end up looking at used, the electronic locking 3.73 axle code is "L6" which is on the inside of the driver door where the tire info is typically listed.
HOWEVER, I believe this changed on the 2013's...From what I've seen you can only get the EB & 3.73 rear when ordered with the Max Tow package. Probably did this to lessen the confusion (as I had on mine)
The stock rear now on the FX4 is a 3.55 and the Lariats/Platinums/XLT's typically have the 3.31. You might be ok with the 3.55 but I wouldn't want the 3.31. Ideally though, I think for your 32 you'd want the 3.73 rear. Mine pulls my 30 great, but I wouldn't want to go any bigger.
BTW, if you end up looking at used, the electronic locking 3.73 axle code is "L6" which is on the inside of the driver door where the tire info is typically listed.
